Clippers look for 14 wins in a row, host Denver

(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Clippers will try to push their franchise-
record winning streak to 14 games Christmas night when they host the Denver
Nuggets.

The Clippers extended the streak to 13 games on Sunday with a 103-77 drubbing
of the Phoenix Suns in the desert. The 13-game run is now the longest winning
stretch in the NBA this season, topping the Oklahoma City Thunder's 12-game
streak that was just snapped on Thursday.

The Clippers exorcised a demon in the form of a losing streak in Phoenix,
spanning 10 games and dating back to Apr. 17, 2007.

"We're just taking care of business right now," said Blake Griffin. "To be
honest, we're not really concerned with 'you haven't won here since then' or '
'you haven't won this many games in a row.' We hear it all, but we're about
just getting wins and if they come within a streak or when we haven't won
somewhere that's fine."

The Clippers took a 15-foot lead into the half, then exploded in the third
quarter. They won the period 33-17 and the game was essentially over at that
point.

Griffin led the way with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. Jamal
Crawford scored 22 off the bench and Chris Paul posted a double-double with 17
points and 13 assists. Paul also had five steals.

Los Angeles shot 53.5 percent from the field and 11-for-21 from the 3-point
line. The Clippers have been great defensively during the streak, not allowing
100 points since Dec. 3 in Utah.

The Nuggets head to L.A. winners of four of their last five. On Saturday, they
defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 110-88 thanks to a solid display of team
basketball.

Seven Nuggets players scored in double-figures, led by 16 from Kosta Koufos.
Kenneth Faried, Andre Iguodala, JaVale McGee, Danilo Gallinari, Jordan
Hamilton and Corey Brewer each put up more than 10 in the victory.

Ty Lawson, the team's second-leading scorer, did not play in the second half
for precautionary reasons due to an Achilles strain, but is expected back in
time for Tuesday's game.

The Nuggets got some time off before yet another road contest.

"We'll let them enjoy the Christmas spirit for a couple days before we hit
them with the hammer of the road again," Nuggets head coach George Karl said.

Christmas night will be the Nuggets' 20th road contest of the season, the most
in the NBA.

The Clippers have won five of the last six matchups, but the Nuggets were 11-1
in the 12 games before that.